Together, they created The Gava Kids Topnaar Education Fund, initially calling on family and friends to make it possible for Eugene to enroll in school for the very first time.Everyone involved in this program is a volunteer with some degree of an educational background and a commitment to make a real difference in even one life and a love of Africa in general and Namibia in particular. Now, 11 years later, the growing fund supports the education of 30 children, known as The Gava Kids – making a significant difference in their lives, and in the lives of their families and their communities.

While education may not guarantee a job in a country where the unemployment rate exceeds 40 percent, providing basic education and training will help The Gava Kids gain a far better advantage than they had before.

Kelly Austin

U.S. Director As U.S. Director of The Gava Kids Topnaar Education Fund, Kelly leads the planning, strategy and fundraising for the program. Kelly and Team Gava routinely visit, hug and assess the children the progress of our students in Namibia.

Heidi Dednam

Namibia Coordinator After University, Heidi began her career as a park ranger stationed at the Gobabeb Desert Research Station deep in the heart of the Topnaar villages. She runs Gava Explorations, specializing in desert tours and ecology. As the Namibia Coordinator for the Gava Kids, Heidi oversees year round, on-site logistics for our program, consistently monitoring their well-being.

Bev Austin

Director of EducationBev, with an extensive background in education, spent a year in Namibia as part of World Teach. As Director of Education, she oversees and evaluates each Gava KId's placement and progress.